Children are experiencing a play-based learning environment which includes social, creative, writing and technology zones as well as an outdoor area when weather permits. They are working hard whilst also honing their independent and exploratory skills.

Literacy

In Literacy, we will continue to develop our phonics using the “Active Literacy” programme. We have been learning and imitating well known stories to create our own stories under the Talk for Writing Scheme. We will also look at creating fact files and writing letters. Primary 1 have now completed all their initial sounds and are starting to learn digraphs, eg sh. They will work on blending these sounds together to read / write cvc words. There will also be a focus on ensuring that children are forming their letters correctly. Primary 2 Strawberries are consolidating some of the digraphs they have been working on whilst Primary 2 Cherries will continue to learn the remaining digraphs in the Active Spelling Stage 2 programme of work. The children are doing very well with their reading and Primary 2 have recently extended their focused reading to include different genres, eg plays and non-fiction. It is important that each child practise their sounds, reading fluency and tricky words daily and I really hope you can continue to assist me with this. Time is spent in class to develop each child’s understanding of their text.

Maths

Primary 1 have been learning addition and subtraction within 10. They will also be exploring numbers to 20 orally this term and looking at number words. Primary 2 are manipulating their numbers within 100 and will be learning to skip count in 2’s, 5’s and 10’s within this range. They will also look at estimating and rounding. As well as looking at numbers all children will also focus on discrete areas including 3D shape and time. The children also have regular number talks sessions each week to reinforce their mental maths strategies.

Inter Disciplinary Learning

This term the children are exploring The Arctic and The Antarctic, looking at habitats, polar animals, weather, people and global warming. We are also delighted to be able to invite you to come to a Showcase of our learning on Thurs 13th Feb at 1.45pm.

This term I will continue posting all homework on the Google Classroom stream on a Monday for completion by the Friday. Can I thank those of you who encourage your child to complete this on a regular basis and upload photos to let me share in their success!

Please continue to use the diary to communicate with me.

I am looking forward to seeing you all at Parents’ Night this term.